Accountability

Councillor responsibilities

Elected Councillors in Queensland have roles and responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2009. An overview of best practice information is available to assist councillors and council staff to develop this knowledge, skills and understanding to meet responsibilities and deliver good governance.

Councillors must always act with integrity and conduct themselves in an appropriate, professional and ethical way that meets the obligations set out in the Local Government Act 2009 and the City of Brisbane Act 2010 as well as their supporting regulations.

Councillors, chief executive officers, and senior executive employees of councils are required to disclose their financial and non-financial interests and those of persons closely related to them, using these forms. The registers of interest forms can be accessed under Statutory forms.

As a result of the increasing risk of potential legal action being taken or threatened against individual council members or employees, local governments are encouraged to develop a policy covering legal assistance and associated eligible expenses for a councillor within its councillor expenses reimbursement policy. In addition, it is also recommended that local governments adopt a similar policy for council employees to cover circumstances where legal assistance is to be provided by the council.

See what local governments should take into consideration when developing an appropriate policy covering legal assistance and associated eligible expenses.